VA takes special care to pay lasting tribute to the memory of Veterans
who served and sacrificed and that of their families. VA meticulously
maintains 134 VA national cemeteries in 39 states and is adding new
cemeteries to accommodate Veterans and loved ones in their time of need.
In a few years, 95 percent of Veterans will have a burial option in an
open VA, state or tribal veterans cemetery located within an hour’s
drive of their home. Some benefits are also available for Veterans who
choose burial in a private cemetery. Veterans with a qualifying
discharge are entitled to VA burial benefits. Spouses and dependent
children are eligible too, even if they predecease the Veteran. The
following burial benefits may be provided:

•Burial in a VA national cemetery - Opening and closing of the
grave or burial of cremated remains or placement in an above-ground
vault, also called a columbarium; a government furnished grave liner;
perpetual care of the gravesite; a headstone or marker with an
inscription; a burial flag; a Presidential Memorial Certificate; and
transportation of flower arrangements from the committal service shelter
to the gravesite• Burial in a private cemetery - A
government headstone, marker, or medallion; a burial flag; and a
Presidential Memorial Certificate. Some survivors may also be entitled
to VA burial allowances as partial reimbursement for the costs of
funerals and burials for eligible Veterans.

Burial in a
VA national cemetery.Although burial plots cannot be
reserved in advance, you can plan ahead by safeguarding military
discharge papers and discussing end-of-life planning with loved ones.
Time permitting, it would be useful to review
www.cem.va.gov/CEM/burial_benefits/need.asp in advance. Upon the death
of the Veteran or his or her spouse or dependent, family members should
locate the Veteran’s DD-214 or other discharge papers and the DD-214
form or other discharge papers to 1-866-900-6417 and follow up with a
phone call to 1-800-535-1117 to schedule a burial in a VA national
cemetery. The process takes about 10 minutes. Then make arrangements
with a funeral home, National Cemetery Scheduling Office or directly
with a VA national cemetery. Note that gravesites in a VA National
Cemetery cannot be reserved in advance. Burials in a national cemetery
take place during the week and cannot be conducted on a federal holiday.

Burial in a private cemetery.To prepare for
a private cemetery burial, VA suggests families review some questions
and complete required forms in advance which are indicated onwww.cem.va.gov/cem/burial_benefits/private_cemetery.asp.
Action necessary to receive/apply for the following are:•
Headstone, marker, or medallion: Visit the national
cemetery administration headstones, markers, and medallions page to
download and fill out VA form 40-1330. Return your completed form with a
copy of the Veteran’s DD-214 to: Memorial Programs Service (41B),
Department of Veterans Affairs, 5109 Russell Road, Quantico, VA
22134-3903 Or fax claims and supporting documents to 1-800-455-7143. If
you are submitting more than one claim, fax each claim package (claim
and supporting documents) in individual fax transmissions.•
Burial flag: At
http://www.cem.va.gov/burial_benefits/burial_flags.asp download and fill
out VA Form 27-2008 from the National Cemetery Administration Burial
Flags page. Take the completed form to the funeral director, a VA
Regional Office or a U.S. Post Office flag issuing station.•
Presidential Memorial Certificate (PMC): Visit the National
Cemetery Administration Presidential Memorial Certificates page
http://www.cem.va.gov/pmc.asp to download and fill out VA Form 40-0247.
Return your completed form with a copy of the Veteran’s DD-214 to:
Presidential Memorial Certificates (41B3), National Cemetery
Administration, 5109 Russell Road, Quantico, VA 22134-3903 or fax them
to 1-800-455-7143. Alternatively, order a PMC using the toll-free fax
line following the instructions provided at
http://www.cem.va.gov/cem/faxpmc.asp.• VA Burial Allowance:
To apply go to http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-21P-530-ARE.pdf to
download and fill out VA Form 21-530. Mail your completed form with a
copy of the Veteran’s DD-214, death certificate, paid receipts, and
other applicable documentation to the VBA regional office located in
your state. Go to http://www.va.gov/directory/guide/division.asp?dnum=3
to locate the office nearest you. You can also apply online (eBenefits)
at https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits/homepage

At the special
compensation overview page
http://www.benefits.va.gov/compensation/claims-special-burial.asp you
can learn more about VA Burial Allowances and eligibility.